As you get older, surgery becomes riskier than it was when you were younger. Many older people avoid even minor procedures because they think they aren’t recommended.
But some elective surgeries don’t have an upper age limit. One of these elective procedures is LASIK.
Even patients in their eighties have had successful LASIK surgery! But no matter what your age, there are a few things you should be careful about. Keep reading to learn more about LASIK!
Age Limits
You do need to be at least 18 years old to get LASIK, but there is no set upper age limit. This means you can have LASIK even if you’re a hundred years old.
But it isn’t only age that’s a factor when you’re looking into getting LASIK. You also have to be aware of other factors. Many of these are unfortunately associated with advanced age.
Complicating Conditions
If you have any pre-existing eye conditions you have increased risks when you have LASIK. Older patients are more likely to have these conditions.
These include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Even having diabetes can make LASIK dangerous.
You may still be able to have LASIK if your condition is mild. For the most part, you need to be in good health for LASIK to be safe.
Medication Interferences
Taking certain medications can also make LASIK more dangerous. Often if a medication may interfere with surgery, it’s only safe to have surgery once you go off the medication.
But if the medication is vital for your health, going off it can be as dangerous! You may not be able to have LASIK surgery if you take medication for even minor conditions.
But that may not mean you can’t have a vision correction procedure. You must tell your doctor about all the medications you take during your consultation.
LASIK Alternatives
There are several alternative laser eye surgeries you may consider instead of LASIK. As far as elective procedures go, LASIK is minimally invasive.
These other procedures tend to be even more low-risk. If you’re older, you may even be able to have your vision corrected with cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery goes beyond just treating cataracts and removing them. Even if you don’t have cataracts, you can get your eye’s natural lens replaced with an IOL or intraocular lens.
This is an artificial lens that can enhance your vision. Premium IOLs can correct presbyopia or astigmatism and improve vision more.
You can also get an ICL or implantable contact lens. This procedure doesn’t involve removing your natural lens. Instead, it only puts in a contact that permanently sits in your eye.
If you don’t qualify for LASIK, talk to your doctor about these alternatives. But no matter how old you are, don’t rule out the possibility of having LASIK!
If you’re in good health it can be as safe and effective as it would be for a younger adult.
Looking for a vision correction procedure like LASIK? Schedule an appointment at Ellis Eye in San Francisco, CA now to discuss your options!
